Original interactive documentary - The Making of Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within. Dig deeper and link-out to information pods which spotlight:

Final Fantasy Thriller Music Video

Alternate opening sequence

Mini-movie: Aki's Dream

Trailer exploration

Multiple workshops including:

Seven in-depth character files

Three vehicle scale comparisons (Bandit, Quatro, Black Boa)

Two face wraps (Aki, Dr. Sid)

Character morphs

Compositing builds

Matte art exploration

Sets and props

Final Fantasy Shuffler: Become the filmmaker by re-editing a pivotal scene from the film. Complete the edit and play back your final cut.

Interactive animated menus

DVD-ROM exclusive interactive film exploration

Includes complete screenplay

Virtual tour of Square Pictures

Screensaver

Weblinks

THE NEWS

Culver City, CA (8/13/01) -- On October 23, 2001, Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment will release the ground-breaking animated action-adventure hit FINAL FANTASY: THE SPIRITS WITHIN in a double-disc Special Edition DVD, as well as on VHS.

FINAL FANTASY: THE SPIRITS WITHIN emerges from its highly successful interactive game roots to deliver the next step in the evolution of motion pictures. A fresh, provocative take on the sci-fi genre, the film blends the eternal conflict of humans versus nature with the energy of the digital gaming medium and the scope of the motion picture environment. Hironobu Sakaguchi has seamlessly combined dazzling computer graphics technology with the art of motion pictures to create an exciting new form of entertainment. With the DVD release of FINAL FANTASY: THE SPIRITS WITHIN, viewers will be able to experience a visual feast of concept, motion, design and imagination with all-new, hyperReal characters as they embark on a mind-bending adventure.

FINAL FANTASY: THE SPIRITS WITHIN takes place in the year 2065. Earth is under siege. A meteor has crashed onto the planet, unleashing millions of alien creatures who roam the land, threatening to extinguish life itself. The survivors have retreated to "barrier cities" built to shield their citizens from the marauding invaders, but time is running out. Yet the spirit of humankind is resilient and embodied in the brilliant and beautiful Dr. Aki Ross (Ming-Na), Earth's last hope for defeating the alien predators. With the guidance of her scientific mentor Dr. Sid (Donald Sutherland) and the Deep Eyes Military Squadron led by the courageous Capt. Gray Edwards (Alec Baldwin), Aki races to save both the planet and herself.

Hironobu Sakaguchi directs from an original screenplay written by Al Reinert and Jeff Vintar. Original story by Hironobu Sakaguchi. Motonori Sakakibara co-directs. Hironobu Sakaguchi, Jun Aida and Chris Lee are producers. The film's creative team includes animation director Andy Jones, staging director Tani Kunitake and composer Elliot Goldenthal.